Daphne Hicyilmaz ('27), a Biological Anthropology major, conducted research with Dr. Katherine France (Department of Oral Medicine) on patients' perspectives on receiving vaccinations from dentists. This research was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
As a Biological Anthropology major with a passion for public health, I was drawn to Dr. France's research on how people felt about receiving vaccines from their dentists. I designed and administered surveys to determine how patients felt about this topic. I learned that younger patients (<18) were uncertain about vaccinations at the dental office while the majority of adults (19-45) seemed open to the option. This contrast raised questions about public trust and the perceived roles of healthcare providers, particularly given the expanded role dentists played during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The connections I made this summer were an important part of my personal and professional development. My weekly meetings with Dr. France not only answered my research questions, but expanded into broader topics like career exploration, mental health, and recommendations for the best restaurants in Philly! Her guidance and support were unwavering, and she made sure I felt valued throughout my research journey. I also made lasting friendships with two dental students, Jasmine and Matthew, who were also working on this project. They played a key role in my experience, sharing their insights on dental school and providing encouragement when needed. Our daily lunches and occasional trips to places like King of Prussia just to get ice cream were the highlights of my summer, and have cemented my sense of belonging to the Penn community.
This research experience has been transformative, and has made me rethink my future. My time at Penn Dental opened my eyes to the possibilities within the dental field, and I got to learn about public health issues, societal disparities, and the evolving role of dentists.
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